On Abortion, Rick Perry Says Wendy Davis Didn't Learn from Herself

Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday slammed the woman who this week led a filibuster in the state legislature, derailing sweeping abortion legislation.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday slammed the woman who this week led a filibuster in the state legislature, derailing sweeping abortion legislation.

“Even the woman who filibustered was born into difficult circumstances,” Perry said of state Sen. Wendy Davis, speaking at the National Right to Life Convention. “She was the daughter of a single woman, she was a teenage mother herself. She managed to eventually graduate Harvard Law School and serve in the Texas Senate. It’s just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example. That every life must be given a chance to realize its own potential; that every life matters.”

His comments came after a 13-hour filibuster led by Davis, a Fort Worth Democrat, earlier this week halted the progression of a far-reaching abortion bill, preventing the measure from achieving final passage before the end of the special session. On Wednesday, Perry called for another special session, set to begin July 1.

“Rick Perry’s statement is without dignity and tarnishes the high office he holds,” she swung back, according to Texas news reports. “They are small words that reflect a dark and negative point of view. Our governor should reflect our Texas values. Sadly, Gov. Perry fails that test.”

On Wednesday, Perry called for another special session, set to begin July 1, in which abortion legislation would be considered.